Age: 29
Nationality: French
Position: Right-back
Squad no. 2
Height: 5ft 10
Interesting Fact: Debuchy spent 20 years at Lille, joining the club at 8-years-old in 1993.
Mathieu Debuchy arrived at the summer with big shoes to fill, as he was drafted in to fill the void left by Bacary Sagna- who left to join Manchester City on a free transfer after eight years of service to the Gunners. Arsenal paid fellow Premier League outfit Newcastle United a fee of around £12m for his services and he was instantly put into the starting line-up for the Community Shield victory against City at Wembley.
How much will he play?
Debuchy is now firmly cemented as the club’s number one right-back, the perfect replacement for Sagna. Calum Chambers was also brought in but will be behind Debuchy in the pecking order, whilst the French player will be crucial to helping the development of the two younger full-backs at the club, Chambers and Hector Bellerin. Debuchy will feature in the Premier League, Champions League and most likely the FA Cup as well- he will be crucial to the side this season.
How well will he do?
The French international has already shown his strengths at the Emirates after just a few months of arriving and the general consensus is that he was the perfect signing for Arsenal’s vacant position. He is strong in defence, making key tackles and interceptions, as well as providing a tremendous boost going forward- with a wicked boot that can swing in inch-perfect crosses into the box.
Read: Report cards for the whole Arsenal squad
Tackling: 8/10
Positioning: 7/10
Heading: 7/10
Strength: 7/10
Pace: 7/10
Crossing: 9/10
Current Value: £12m
Potential Value: £14m
Overall Rating: 8/10